Energy, economic and environmental evaluation of the energy storage capabilities of artificial lakes based on pumped-hydro storage systems with a case study of Daghgoli artificial recreational lake

Abstract

In the present study, Daghgoli artificial recreational lake has been investigated as an energy storage system. This lake with a capacity of 54,000 (m3) is located in the largest metropolis of northwestern Iran, above the Eynali Mountains, in the vicinity of the city. The elevation of this lake is about 450 (m) from the downstream lake with a capacity of 60,000 (m3). The energy storage capacity of the lake has been evaluated based on the pumped-hydro method. Then, the capacity of this large “battery” to store a part of the excess energy generated by the Tabriz thermal power plant has been evaluated. In addition to the technical evaluation, a full economic analysis as well as environmental investigation of application of the lake as an energy storage system has been conducted. The capacity that can be develop the existing small wind farm in the vicinity of the lake so that its generated energy can be fully stored by the energy storage system based on Daghgoli Lake has also been determined. Finally, the capacity of the photovoltaic solar power plant that can be established in the flat plain adjacent to the lake to store its generated electricity by the lake to be used at night or peak hours has been also evaluated. The results showed that using the presented energy storage plan, 74.7(MWh) of excess electrical energy generated by the thermal power plant can be stored daily. By releasing this energy during peak hours, 13.24 (MW) of electricity can be generated with an energy conversion efficiency about 71 %. At the same time, the emission of 8508 tons of carbon dioxide can be prevented during a year. The investment payback period of the project is estimated to be 4.7 years. By using the designed energy storage system, a wind farm consisting of 16 turbines with a capacity of 660 (kW) or a photovoltaic solar plant with a capacity of 9.34 (MW) can be created.